Jeddah (UNA) – The Executive Director of the Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Dr. Hadi bin Ali Al-Yami, explained that the choice of the topic of the Ramadan evening comes from the universal values embodied by the holy month of Ramadan, which are the values of mercy, solidarity and the preservation of human dignity, indicating that these are the same values on which humanitarian work and the human rights system are based.
This came in his speech during the Ramadan evening organized by the Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission, in cooperation with the Union of News Agencies of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (UNA), on Thursday, March 5, 2026, corresponding to Ramadan 16, 1447 AH, which was held via Zoom under the title: “Humanitarian work as a tool to promote human rights and the values of coexistence and tolerance.”
He pointed out that the impact of humanitarian work is not limited to responding to urgent needs, but extends to form a fundamental pillar in establishing a culture of tolerance and coexistence within societies, explaining that providing aid on the basis of pure humanity enhances trust among the components of society, and contributes to rebuilding bridges of solidarity, and reducing hate speech and division.
He stressed that the humanitarian dimension has a preventive role that is no less important than its relief role, as it contributes to early warning, building trust, and creating an environment for dialogue and reconciliation, as well as its role in preventing conflicts, combating extremism and polarization, and promoting social peace and sustainable stability.
Regarding the situation in the Islamic world, he noted that a number of OIC member states are facing complex challenges stemming from armed conflicts, protracted humanitarian crises, or natural disasters, stressing the importance of adopting a comprehensive approach that links urgent relief, protection of fundamental rights, institutional capacity building, and strengthening social cohesion.
He pointed out that approximately 60% of the world’s refugees are in the countries of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and that the majority of refugees globally are hosted by the member states of the organization, which reflects the magnitude of the responsibility undertaken by these countries, and the pivotal role played by humanitarian bodies in the organization’s system, including leading institutions such as the King Salman Center for Relief and Humanitarian Aid.
He also referred to his recent meeting in Geneva with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, explaining that they discussed the importance of employing humanitarian work as an entry point for achieving societal stability, enhancing resilience, and linking humanitarian response to development and peacebuilding pathways.
Dr. Hadi Al-Yami emphasized that humanitarian work in Islamic traditions is not an emergency or imported concept, but rather is rooted in the system of social justice and Islamic social finance tools, such as Zakat, Waqf, and Sadaqah, which represent sustainable mechanisms for supporting the most vulnerable groups and promoting solidarity within societies.
He pointed to the importance of integrating emerging issues into humanitarian work, including the use of artificial intelligence to improve humanitarian response, and addressing the risks of misinformation and hate speech during crises, given their direct impact on social stability and the protection of human rights.
He also stressed the importance of empowering youth and women in humanitarian responses, noting that the 26th regular session of the body discussed ways to involve young people, especially women and girls, in humanitarian efforts, as an entry point to building more peaceful and cohesive societies.
He explained that the Authority, based on its mandate, is working to enhance the integration between the humanitarian dimension and the human rights dimension in the policies and programs of member states. It is also currently working on developing its institutional strategy for the next period, in a way that promotes good governance, develops its advisory tools, and deepens its international partnerships.
He noted that the topic of the evening deserves further discussion at the international level, expressing his hope to organize a joint event in Geneva or New York on the sidelines of the work of the United Nations system, to enhance the collective presence of the organization and highlight its contribution to humanitarian work.
The Executive Director of the Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission concluded by emphasizing that humanitarian work, when based on human rights principles, becomes an effective tool for alleviating suffering, building trust, consolidating tolerance, and promoting peace and stability in societies.
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